Château de Chenonceau

Visit the Château de Chenonceau to admire the building’s beautiful design and see its furnished rooms. The interiors are decorated with the original, lavish furnishings and Flemish tapestries. Don’t miss the stained-glass chapel, the royal chambers, the library, the 196-foot (60-meter) gallery, and the gardens, which were designed by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de’ Medici.

• The château charges an entry fee; there are discounts for children and students.

• You can opt for an audio tour narrated by an actress playing Madame Pelouze, the last woman to refurbish the castle.

• The château has three on-site restaurants, ranging in price and style; you can also bring a picnic to enjoy by the river.

The Château de Chenonceau is located in Touraine, in the Loire Valley, near the commune of Chenonceaux. You can reach Tours from Paris by train (the ride takes about 1 hour), then take the TER train from Tours to Chenonceaux. You can also drive from Paris via the A10 “Aquitaine” autoroute and exit at Blois or Amboise; the drive takes about 2 hours. There is free parking at the château.

The château is open all year round from morning until the late afternoon or evening. Hours vary slightly depending on the season, so check the schedule before visiting. During the summer, visitors can enjoy nighttime walks around the illuminated grounds.

After the castle was constructed, Henry II gifted it to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who added the romantic arched bridge and the gardens. When Henry died, his widow, Catherine de’ Medici, forced Diane out, then added the gallery atop the bridge and her own gardens. The next woman to own (and alter) the castle was Louise de Lorraine, wife of Henry III. She was followed by Madame Dupin, who entertained Voltaire and Rousseau.

Located in the Loire Valley, the Château de Chenonceau is known for its Renaissance architecture, with towers and a vast moat that would seem appropriate for a fairy tale. It’s famously nicknamed the “Ladies Château” after the women—including Katherine Briçonnet, Diane de Poitiers, and Catherine de’ Médicis—who shaped its history.

The Château de Chenonceau is located in the town of Chenonceaux along the banks of the Cher River, a tributary of the Loire. It’s located in the central region of the Loire Valley, within a 45-minute drive of Blois, Tours, and Amboise, and about a 2.5-hour drive from Paris.

The Château de Chenonceau and its gardens are open daily year-round, including holiday weekends. Hours vary, but the château typically opens between 9am and 9.30am and closes between 4.30pm and 7pm. Special evening events are held on select dates in July and August.

Yes, the château and gardens at Chenonceau are open to visitors, and both are included with your ticket. Explore the many rooms of the château—home to a magnificent collection of art, furniture, and tapestries—then stroll around the formal gardens and visit the flower garden, maze, and flower workshop.

No. The château doesn’t offer guided tours, although there is an audio guide available in several languages and a free smartphone app available to download. If you want a more personalized tour, you can have your own guide accompany you, or visit as part of a Loire Valley tour.

Yes, the Château de Chenonceau is partially accessible for wheelchair users. A fitted ramp allows access to the château, but the narrow corridors and steps of the historic building mean that accessibility is limited to the ground floor, the gardens, restaurants, shop, and restrooms. Wheelchairs are available free of charge.